Name:
Thematic Lessons in the History of Iraq and Iran
Constitution of Iran 1979
There are 176 articles in the Iranian constitution of 1979. Below are samplings of these articles,
highlighting some particularly important points. Carefully read through these articles and then answer
the accompanying questions thoroughly, using your own words.
Article 1 [Form of Government]
The form of government of Iran is that of an Islamic Republic, endorsed by the people of Iran on the basis
of their longstanding belief in the sovereignty of truth and Koranic justice, in the referendum of 29 and 30
March 1979, through the affirmative vote of a majority of 98.2% of eligible voters, held after the
victorious Islamic Revolution led by Imam Khomeni.
Article 2 [Foundational Principles]
The Islamic Republic is a system based on belief in:
1) the One God (as stated in the phrase "There is no god except God"), God’s exclusive sovereignty and
right to legislate, and the necessity of submission to God’s commands; 2) Divine revelation and its
fundamental role in setting forth the laws;
3) the return to God in the Hereafter, and the constructive role of this belief in the course of man's ascent
towards God;
4) the justice of God in creation and legislation;
5) continuous leadership and perpetual guidance, and its fundamental role in ensuring the uninterrupted
process of the revolution of Islam;
6) the exalted dignity and value of man, and his freedom coupled with responsibility before God; in which
equity, justice, political, economic, social, and cultural independence, and national solidarity are secured
by recourse to: a) continuous leadership of the holy persons, possessing necessary qualifications,
exercised on the basis of the Koran and the Sunnah, upon all of whom be peace; b) sciences and arts and
the most advanced results of human experience, together with the effort to advance them further; c)
negation of all forms of oppression, both the infliction of and the submission to it, and of dominance, both
its imposition and its acceptance.
Article 13 [Recognized Religious Minorities]
Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian Iranians are the only recognized religious minorities, who, within the
limits of the law, are free to perform their religious rites and ceremonies, and to act according to their own
canon in matters of personal affairs and religious education.
Article 14 [Non-Muslims' Rights]
In accordance with the sacred verse "God does not forbid you to deal kindly and justly with those who
have not fought against you because of your religion and who have not expelled you from your homes"
[60:8] the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and all Muslims are duty-bound to treat non-
Muslims in conformity with ethical norms and the principles of Islamic justice and equity, and to respect
their human rights. This principle applies to all who refrain from engaging in conspiracy or activity
against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran.